What is Cloud Storage?

What is cloud based storage and why do I need it?

If you use more than one computer (work laptop, home computer, smartphone, tablet), you often want to access the files on one computer while you are on another computer. 

Online cloud storage applications allow you to share your files between devices (and between people). It also offers synchronization - meaning that if store a file in the online storage folder on one computer, the application will automatically update to your other devices.

So, instead of storing your information on your hard drive or carrying around a flash drive, you store your information in an internet drive.  Because the information is available through the internet, it is available any where that you have access to the internet.

As a Google Apps for Education school, we will have access to a Cloud Storage system called Google Drive.  Google Drive can store your pictures, documents, spreadsheets, presentations, etc. 

How safe are your files in Google Drive?
When you go to Google Drive in your browser, notice that the URL in the address bar will begin with https:// rather than http://.  The "s" stands for secure and tells you that a secure communication protocol is being used to transfer your file from your computer to the server and back.  Any data being sent is encrypted so that it cannot be stolen as it travels the internet.

However, this security does not extend to the file being stored on Google's servers.  The files located on drive are secured via your password.  So choose a strong password and don't share your password with others.  

If you would like to read more about Cloud Computing, check out the article below.

• What is Cloud Computing - Good Housekeeping Article